Animals in Distress is delighted to announce that a brand new Dog Friendly Christmas Carol Service will take place in Newton Abbot town centre this year!

Lead by the Rev Gareth Regan, and in association with the Anglican churches of Newton Abbot, the open-air service will be held in aid of Animals in Distress.

All well behaved dogs will be welcome.

Sally Henley, Newton Abbot Town Development Manager said: ‘I have worked with this brilliant charity many times over the last decade and it is a pleasure to be working with AID once again with this new event.

‘We know that for many of us, our dogs are part of the family and yet when families get together to celebrate Christmas in church, the doggies must remain at home.

‘When I’m out and about in the town centre, I’m always struck by the array of wonderful dogs which we see out with the owners and I thought it would be great to have a short service just for them.

‘I am rather looking forward to Saturday, December 11.’

Clare Meir, Community and Events Fundraiser at Animals in Distress said: ‘We are all so excited about our wonderful Dog-Friendly Carol Service which will take place for the first ever time in Newton Abbot this year!

‘On behalf of everyone at Animals in Distress, we’d like to say a big thank you to the Rev Gareth Regan and to Newton Abbot Town Council for making this exciting event possible.

‘We hope to welcome many of our supporters, old and new, to this very special service, along with all their four-legged friends.’

We really hope you will join us! Be sure to wear your favourite Christmas jumper – pooches too!